Indicia application



Sept. 27, 1966 K. WOLPIN INDICIA APPLICATION Filed March 17, 1964 JAURY 9 SUN MON TUE WED THU R FIG. 2.

FIG. 4.

lNVENTOR KERMIT WOLPIN ATTORNEY,

United States Patent Ofiice 3,274,716 Patented Sept. 27, 1966 3,274,716 INDICIA APPLICATION Kermit Wolpin, New York, N.Y., assignor to Hit Sales Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 17, 1964, Ser. No. 352,470 3 Claims. (Cl. 49-107) This invention relates to the art of applying desired indicia to a surface, more particularly to a technique implementing the provision of these desired indicia on an article of manufacture in which defects in forming the indicia do not require discard of the article, and in which the application of the indicia is facilitated by the construction of a novel matrix on which the indicia are formed.

A variety of situations exist in which it is desirable to apply desired indicia to a given article of manufacture. Thus many types of standard articles are employed for promotional purposes, or as premium items to which given advertising, or promotional indicia are applied, preferably in a decorative fashion. Where conventional printing techniques are employed for applying the desired indicia, it is often found that in imprinting the indicia on the surface of the article of manufacture to which the indicia are to be applied, errors often occur in the indicia which result in damage to the article necessitating discard of the article. It is additionally often difiicult to position the article in position with respect to the printing equipment, and it is often found that the surface characteristics of the article do not satisfactorily accommodate the indicia. Attempts at mitigating these problems by imprinting desired indicia on conventional labels which are thereafter affixed to the article, result in a diminution of the desired esthetic qualities of the article of manufacture. Other problems are encountered in the use of conventional labeling techniques in that the application of the pre-printed label to the article of manufacture requires a careful positioning of the label necessitating relatively costly handling. Further difficulties are encountered in that normal handling of the labelled article tends to displace the label from the article, with resultant loss of indicia.

It is with the above problems and desiderata in mind, that the present indicia applying means, including both method and apparatus, have been evolved. The improved means function to implement the provision of desired indicia on an article of manufacture such as a premium item, or the like, having a value such as to encourage retention of the article by the recipient. By forming and applying indicia in accordance with the herein disclosed teaching the value of the article of manufacture is maintained, and the desired positioning of the indicia in an attractive fashion with respect to the surface of the article of manufacture is insured.

It is accordingly among the primary objects of this invention to provide improved means for providing desired indicia on the surface of an article of manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for insuring a desired high quality of indicia imprint on an article of manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide an indicia forming technique for providing indicia on an article of manufacture so as to prevent errors in the formation of the indicia from effecting the quality of the article of manufacture to which the indicia are to be applied.

It is also an object of the invention to provide indicia applying means which will serve to insure the maintenance of the desired indicia on the surface of the article of manufacture to which applied.

Another object of the invention is to provide an indicia bearing matrix adapted for efficient positioning with respect to printing equipment and to an article of manufacture to which the matrix is applied.

A further object of the invention with particular reference to a promotional calendar is to provide such calendar so constructed as to permit different indicia to be associated with the structure thereby permitting one type of calendar to be employed by different customers.

These and other objects of the invention which will become hereafter apparent are achieved by providing a matrix formed of a relatively rigid blank of material particularly accommodating the desired indicia such as thermoplastic sheet stock. The blank from which the matrix is formed may take any one of a variety of different shapes. However, a regular geometric shape is found preferable. Thus circular discs of blank thermoplastic sheet material have been found particularly suitable. Indicia of any one of a variety of different desired types are applied to the matrix utilizing conventional indicia applying techniques preferably by heat stamping. Where the matrix is formed of thermoplastic material, a heat embossing technique is employed. The article of manufacture to which the desired indicia are to be applied is formed with a recess in a surface thereof, and the recess is dimensioned to accommodate the matrix, and receive same with the indicia bearing surface of the matrix lying substantially flush with the surface of the article.

A feature of the invention resides in the formation of the matrix with a striated surface obverse to the indicia bearing face of the matrix. These striations serve the twofold function of implementing the feeding of the matrix to the printing equipment, in that the operator can manually detect the right side of the matrix, and secondly the striations increase the available surface area for application of an adhesive to secure the matrix in position in the recess in the article to which the matrix is applied, thereby improving the retention of the matrix in the recess.

A further feature resides in the arrangement of the striations to extend radially from the center of the matrix as a result of which a drop of adhesive deposited at the center of the matrix is distributed over the securing surface of the matrix.

Another feature of the invention resides in the fact that the matrix may readily be formed of a material which though compatible in quality with that of the article is selected from a class particularly suited for the application of any desired indicia thereto, Whereas the article of manufacture with which the matrix is subsequently associated may not have a surface adapted to have the indicia applied thereto, as a result of which by utilization of the matrix the quality of the desired indicia is improved.

A further feature of the invention resides in the fact that by utilization of the matrix any errors in the application of the indicia to the matrix require mere discard of the matrix as opposed to the situation in which the indicia are applied directly to the article of manufacture in which case an error in the indicia would necessitate discard of the article of manufacture.

Another feature of the invention resides in the use of an index indentation on the matrix to implement manual positioning of the indicia bearing matrix in the desired orientation in the recess of the article to which applied, and further to implement manual or automatic feeding to a stamping or other indicia applying equipment.

The specific details of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and their mode of functioning will be made most manifest, and particularly pointed out in clear,

concise, and exact terms in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing how the indicia applying techniques of the instant invention are employed in forming a promotional item such as a calendar; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the arrangement of the indicia bearing matrix in a recess formed on the surface of the calendar of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a matrix made in accordance with the teachings of this invention showing the securing surface of the matrix obverse to the indicia bearing face thereof; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, like numerals in the various figures will be employed to designate like parts.

A matrix 10, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, is formed of a relatively rigid substantially flat, planar material with desired peripheral contour. A regular geometric shape is preferred, and as shown illustratively, a circular disc is found particularly suitable. The material of which the matrix is formed is selected dependent on the type of indicia to be imprinted thereon, the selection being made from those classes of material to which the desired indicia may be most readily applied and preferably of a relatively high quality compatible with that'of the article. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the matrix is formed of a thermoplastic material, and is shaped to desired contour by holding. Acetate is found to give eminently satisfactory results. The molded acetate matrix 10 is formed with the illustrated circular discshaped contour, and is provided with a securing surface 11 having a plurality of striations 12 arranged thereon. An index indentation 15 is formed on this securing surface 11 of the matrix 10 to implement orientation of the matrix in desired position in a fashion to be made hereinafter more apparent. Indicia bearing face is formed on matrix 10 on the side thereof obverse to that of securing surface 11, as best seen in FIG. 4. This indicia bearing face 20 is surfaced to most effectively accommodate the desired indicia thereon. Thus either a matte, or gloss surface may be formed on face 20 depending on the estheticdictates of the indicia, and depending on the type of indicia applying technique employed so .as to insure desired effectiveness of indicia formation on the matrix.

In the illustrated embodiment, indicia are applied to this indicia bearing face 20 by utilizing a heat stamping process to emboss the desired indicia 25, as shown in phantom in FIG. 1.

The article of manufacture to which it is desired to apply indicia is illustratively shown as a calendar 30. Calendar 30 comprises a baseboard 31 of sheet material upon which the calendar leaves 32 are secured. A backing board 33 is laminated to baseboard 3-1, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Baseboard 31 is formed with a recess 35 dimensioned to accommodate the matrix 10. This is most readily accomplished by forming the baseboard 31 of a thickness substantially equal to that of the matrix 10, and extending recess 35 through the baseboard 31, as seen in FIG. 2, as a result of which matrix 10 will be accommodated in recess 35 with the indicia bearing surface 20 of the matrix lying substantially flush or coplanar with the surface of baseboard 31.

Operation In use the aforedescribed indicia applying technique may be employed in a variety of situations where it is desired to apply indicia to an article of manufacture. It finds particularutility where the article of manufacture is of a standard type to which different types of indicia will be applied. Thus in connection with premium items such as calendars or the like promotional, or giveaway items in which the item given away is relatively valuable so as to encourage the recipient to retain the item, but in which the indicia applied to the article will vary dependent on the donor, the imprinting of the desired indicia on the article would conventionally provide prob lems. Thus where the surface of the article is of a type to which the indicia may normally not be applied, or where, as in most indicia applying techniques there is a possibility of an error in formation of the indicia, it is desirable to form the indicia separately from the item so that surface of the item does not affect the quality of the indicia, and errors in formation of the indicia do not necessitate discard of the item.

This is most readily accomplished by utilizing the techniques of the herein disclosed inventive concept by forming a matrix as above described of a relatively rigid quality material stamping or otherwise applying desired indicia to the matrix, and thereafter affixing the matrix in the recess formed in the standard article of manufacture. In afiixing the matrix to the article of manufacture, the indexing indent 15 is employed to orient the matrix in desired position with respect to the article of manufacture. Thus where the matrix is inserted in the recess manually, the operator feelsfor the indexing indent 15, and orients the matrix 10 so that the indexing indent 15 is at some fixed datum, preferably the bottom of the recess. The striations 12 serve to increase the surface area of the securing face of matrix 10 by providing valleys which increase the quantity of adhesive which maybe applied to the rear of the matrix 10, as a result of which the securement of the matrix in the recess of the article is improved.

It is preferred in the affixing of the matrix to the article that a drop of adhesive be applied to the rear surface of the matrix, with the striations 12 serving as guide channels to spread the adhesive, and as a surface increasing 'valley for the adhesive.

It is thus seen that an improved indicia applying technique has been evolved, in which a relatively high quality indicia may be applied to a standard article of manufacture, with the surface qualities of the article of manufacture not affecting the quality of the indicia, and with the indicia being applied in a fashion such as to securely maintain the indicia in position, enhance the decorative quality of the article of manufacture, and in which any errors arising in formation of the indicia do not damage the article of manufacture.

The above disclosure has been given by way of illustration and elucidation, and not by way of limitation, and it is desired to protect all embodiments of the herein disclosed inventive concept within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Means implementing the provision of desired indicia on an article of manufacture, said means comprising a circular matrix dimensioned to fit within a circular recess formed in said article of manufacture, said matrix having an indicia bearing upper face having a smooth continuous circular rim, a radially striated lower face on the side of said matrix obverse to said indicia bearing face, the striations on said lower face extending from a central portion of the lower face of the matrix to the rim thereof to form guide channels for a drop of liquid adhesive in flowing from the center of the matrix to the rim thereof, whereby any errors in applying the indicia to the matrix will not necessitate discard of the article of manufacture.

2. Means as in claim '1 in which an indexing indent is formed at the rim of the lower surface of the matrix which indent is hidden from view by the upper indicia bearing surface of the matrix.

3. An advertising premium calendar structure permitting different advertising or prorntional indicia to be associated therewith, said structure comprising: a baseboard of sheet material, said baseboard having a circular recess therein positioned at a point of desired indicia direct a drop of fluid adhesive positioned at the center 10 of the matrix to the rim thereof; an indexing indent formed at the edge of the lower face of said matrix, and hidden from view by the upper indicia bearing face of the matrix; and a backing board secured to said base- 15 board and forming the rear surface of said recess to which said matrix is secured, whereby desired indicia may be separately formed on the matrix which is subsequently secured to the calendar with defects arising during indicia application not requiring discard of the calendar structure, and permitting the use of a variety of difierent indicia on a standard calendar structure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,098,478 11/ 1937 Young 4022 2,411,187 11/1946 Boogher 40125 FOREIGN PATENTS 276,178 8/ 1927 Great Britain. 444,414 3/ 1936 Great Britain. 297,857 6/ 1954 Switzerland.

EUGENE R. CAPAZIO, Primary Examiner. W. J. CONTRERAS, Examiner. 

3. AN ADVERTISING PREMIUM CALENDAR STRUCTURE PERMITTING DIFFERENT ADVERTISING OR PROMTIONAL INDICIA TO BE ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, SAID STRUCTURE COMPRISING: A BASEBOARD OF SHEET MATERIAL, SAID BASEBOARD HAVING A CIRCULAR RECESS THEREIN POSITIONED AT A POINT OF DESIRED INDICIA LOCATION; A CIRCULAR MATRIX DIMENSIONED TO FIT WITHIN THE RECESS, SAID MATRIX HAVING A SMOOTH CONTINUOUS RIM PROVIDING A DESIRED SMOOTH REGULAR CIRCULAR CONTOUR ABOUT ITS UPPER FACE, SAID UPPER FACE BEARING THE DESIRED INDICIA, AND LYING IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR WITH THE SURFACE OF SAID BASEBOARD, A LOWER FACE ON THE OBVERSE SIDE OF SAID MATRIX FORMED WITH A PLURALITY OF RADIALLY EXTENDING STRIATIONS INCREASING THE SURFACE AREA THEREOF, AND PROVIDING ADHESIVE FLOW CHANNELS SERVING TO DIRECT A DROP OF FLUID ADHESIVE POSITIONED AT THE CENTER OF THE MATRIX TO THE RIM THEREOF; AN INDEXING INDENT FORMED AT THE EDGE OF THE LOWER FACE OF SAID MATRIX, AND HIDDEN FROM VIEW BY THE UPPER INDICIA BEARING FACE OF THE MATRIX; AND A BACKING BOARD SECURED TO SAID BASEBOARD AND FORMING THE REAR SURFACE OF SAID RECESS TO WHICH SAID MATRIX IS SECURED, WHEREBY DESIRED INDICIA MAY BE SEPARATELY FROMED ON THE MATRIX WHICH IS SUBSEQUENTLY SECURED TO THE CALENDAR WITH DEFECTS ARISING DURING INDICIA APPLICATION NOT REQUIRING DISCARD OF THE CALENDAR STRUCTURE, AND PERMITTING THE USE OF A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT INDICIA ON A STANDARD CALENDAR STRUCTURE. 